HTC 8X may be its first Windows Phone 8 handset

Don’t be confused by the name — the freshly-leaked HTC 8X isn’t a monstrous, octo-core upgrade to the One X . Instead it looks like this might be HTC’s first Windows Phone 8 device, and there’s a very good chance that it will be revealed at the company’s New York launch party on September 19th.

Specs for the 8X have been leaked by the same person who tweeted the particulars of the One X+. They’re not quite as impressive, with a dual-core chip clocked at 1.2GHz leading the way, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, and microSD expansion. It’ll sport a 4.3-inch display flanked by a Skype-friendly front-facing camera, complemented by an 8MP F2.0 autofocus shooter on the back.

NFC support and Beats Audio tech will also be built-in, as will Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth 2.1 — rather than the newer, lower-power v4.0, which ships on all the other models in the HTC One line-up.

While the reveal might happen in a couple of weeks, the 8X will probably wind up hitting retail shelves at around the same time as the Nokia Lumia 920 and 820, which were unveiled just days ago. HTC will need to have something special planned for the 8X if it’s hoping to compete, because the free streaming radio, bold colors, and glove-friendly displays Nokia is pushing will attract plenty of attention.

One more plain-black slab running Windows Phone will have trouble standing out, but maybe there’s a free music bonus lurking. HTC’s pals at Beats did just complete that MOG acquisition, after all.

Speak Your Mind

skruis

There was a rumor that the Bluetooth profile limitations were due to WP8 and not any of the handset manufacturers decisions. That being said, I’m keeping my mind open about options but both the Lumia and the Ativ look great so far. HTC will need to pull something out to bring me back.